Blog

Jun 07

Why millennials are the most dangerous drivers on the road.

Which age group do you think ranks as the worst drivers in America? According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the answer is millennials. Motorists between ages 19 and 39 are the worst when it comes to getting out on the open road.

The AAA Foundation’s recent report stated, in reference to drivers ages 19 to 24, “Eighty-eight percent of young millennials engaged in at least one risky behavior behind the wheel in the past 30 days.” Risky behaviors were defined as speeding, running red lights, and texting while driving.

The report also noted that traffic-related deaths increased by 7 percent in 2015, which marks the largest increase in more than 50 years.

The problem, it seems, is rooted in attitude. Dr. David Yang, executive director with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, said, “Some of the drivers ages 19 to 24 believe that their dangerous driving behavior is acceptable.”

Another troubling statistic that came out of the report revealed that “nearly 12 percent of drivers ages 19 to 24 reported feeling that it is acceptable to drive 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone.”

But before you think millennials take all the blame, drivers ages 40 to 59 are also guilty of speeding, running red lights, and texting while driving. In fact, over 75 percent of people in this age group have done so in the last month.

The takeaway from AAA’s report is that all drivers engage in poor driving habits. The best thing any of us can do is drive defensively and keep our eyes on the road and on other drivers.